Hammer idea for snubnoses.

A lot of semi automatics have circular hammers with serrations like the PPK. They do not snag on things and give pretty good grip. Why do we never see hammers like that on revolvers?

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/160261000/160261289/pix526996937.jpg

Revolvers offer traditional hammers, bobbed, or fully enclosed.

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ir3e971

March 8, 2010, 10:50 PM

rocinante,

I don't know the answer, but I am curious to hear myself.

I was wondering why the Hi-Power had a ring hammer, unlike most standard hammers on many pistols and all revolvers.

Thanks for asking the question.

VA27

March 9, 2010, 12:34 AM

IIRC, some early SP101s had a ring hammer. There's a pix in THR somewhere, but I can't find it.

rocinante

March 9, 2010, 08:09 AM

I guess the correct answer is because it is not traditional. Still think for CC guns it is a good idea because there is no spur to snag.

snooperman

March 9, 2010, 09:11 AM

why revolvers do not have a rounded hammer either except tradition. You pose a very good question indeed. However , I have had several of my snubby hammers bobbed, I certainly like your suggestion much better.

earlthegoat2

March 9, 2010, 10:02 AM

CDNN was selling the Ruger SP101 revolvers with a ring hammer. They were some kind of Federal Govt trade in guns. This was several years ago.

Here is a quote from the archives on this matter originally posted by Kor:

Are there any revolvers with ring hammers? If not, is there a special reason?

I've seen photos of a VERY early-production Ruger SP101 that sported a prototype/experimental ring/rowel-style hammer; as far as I know, this gun is now in the personal collection of Massad Ayoob. The ring/rowel hammer was intended to reduce snagging when the gun was drawn from a pocket or ankle holster, while retaining the ability to be thumb-cocked to single-action mode.

The ring/rowel hammer seems to have not gotten any traction in the revolver market for three reasons, IMO:

- Traditionalist revolver buyers want guns with spur hammers, just as they remember and are accustomed to;

- Revolver shooting technique has over the years steadily de-emphasized thumb-cocking the DA revolver, in favor of emphasizing the smooth double-action trigger-stroke for virtually all defensive and most competitive use of the revolver - see above.

9mmepiphany

March 9, 2010, 01:59 PM

i think you're looking at the question from the wrong angle

since the spur hammer came first, the question should be: why do semi-autos not have spur hammers. than answer would be, that they are not intended to be thumb cocked.

revolvers were originally designed to be thumb cocked and the long spur hammers made it easier. the burr (rounded/ring) hammer came about with the advent of the semi-auto pistol which had it's hammer cocked through a DA trigger or the functioning of the slide.

the burr hammer on a DA revolver would be the worst of both worlds. it would be awkward to cock (it requires a longer reach) and would not be as snag resistant as a bobbed hammer.

my only revolvers that have spur hammers only retain them for the "traditional look", i can't even remember the last time i cocked one to SA...maybe to demonstrate the difference between SA and DA to a student

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